In the shadows of the U.S. Capitol, the final Corporate Board Initiative (CBI) Panel Discussion and Networking Reception for 2015 was hosted by DuPont at the offices of the Business Roundtable. A strong panel of experienced regulatory board members and commissioners covered the merits and distinctions of regulatory boards compared to corporate, nonprofit, educational and cultural boards.

The event, titled “Understanding the Role of Governance in Regulatory Boards vs. Private Sector Boards,” featured Vicky A. Bailey – President, Anderson Stratton International, LLC and Partner, BHMM Energy Services, LLC; Thomas W. Chapman, MPH, EdD – President & CEO, The HSC Foundation; Mignon Clyburn – Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission; Gary Garczynski – Chairman, Board of Directors, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Atlanta; and Colette D. Honorable – Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The panel was moderated by Barry Granger, Vice President for DuPont Government Marketing and Government Affairs.

The panel discussion began with defining regulatory boards as “a public authority or government agency responsible for exercising autonomous authority over some area of human activity in a regulatory or supervisory capacity . . . independent from other branches or arms of the government.” The definition resonated with all of the panelists as they shared their experiences discovering the challenges and opportunities of serving in a public capacity.

Panelists recounted how regulatory boards can present a “huge learning curve” and that the vetting process can be disconcerting when your background is investigated in a public and transparent way. Several suggested serving on local and state boards and cultivating relationships with local, state and congressional legislators is important in building recognition and visibility with those who can make recommendations and endorsements.

FHLB Chair Garczynski said there are 170 board seats among the 11 regional offices, and that represents opportunity. He encouraged more women and people of color to understand the requirements, apply and go through the vetting process to be placed on a ballot for FHLB board seats.

Congressman G. K. Butterfield, Jr. (D-NC-1), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), delivered welcome remarks outlining his deep interest in increasing representation by black executives in C-Suites and on corporate boards. He referenced the CBC’s and The ELC’s shared interest in increasing diversity in business.

CBI hosts a series of regional panel discussions, networking receptions and other relevant events to educate cohort members, ELC members and other special guests on a variety of topics relative to corporate board service. The event in Washington, DC marked the final installment of our 2015 education series for executives interested in board service. We would like to extend our appreciation to DuPont, the host sponsor for this event, and to our CBI sponsors, Heidrick & Struggles and AT&T.

Quarterly CBI events in 2016 are being scheduled in San Francisco, New York, London and Chicago.

Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-1), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, welcomed participants to the Corporate Board Initiative event hosted by DuPont at the Business Roundtable in Washington, DC.

DuPont Executive and ELC Board Member Lydia Mallett and Immediate Past Executive Leadership Foundation Board Chair Michael C. Hyter of Korn Ferry at the CBI event.

Barry Granger of DuPont (left) served as CBI event host and panel moderator. Panelists included: (2nd from l-r) FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, Anderson Stratton International, LLC President Vicky A. Bailey, The HSC Foundation President & CEO Thomas W. Chapman, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Board Chairman Gary Garczynski, and FERC Commissioner Colette D. Honorable.

(l-r) Ronald C. Parker, president & CEO of The Executive Leadership Council with Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Karen J. Morrison, President, OhioHealth Foundation and Senior Vice President, OhioHealth, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-3) and Barry Granger of DuPont.

The office of Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies working to promote sound public policy and a thriving U.S. economy, was the site of the DuPont-hosted Corporate Board Initiative Panel Discussion and Reception.